Environment is a sum total of living and non-living components. on the other hand archaeology is the systematic study of ancient society through archaeological remains which we recover from sites. Thus it is the study of past environment or reconstruction of past environment through material remains.
2. In this presentation, I’ll delve into
the interdisciplinary nature of
Environmental Archaeology and
its significance in understanding
past ecosystems and human
environment interactions.
3. Environmental Archaeology
• Human and environment
interaction.
• It examines the physical remains
of ancient civilizations, such as
plant and animal remains,
sediments.
4. It helps us understand:
• Their subsistence strategies and food
production techniques.
• Their land use patterns and
agricultural practices.
• Their interaction with and impact on
the natural environment.
• Their cultural and social behaviors in
relation to the environment.
5. Complete Steps or Process of Collecting Environmental
Archaeological Remains up to their Analysis in Laboratory
1) Excavation
Archaeologists carefully excavate
archaeological sites, taking care to
preserve any potential
environmental remains.
2) Sampling
Specialized sampling technique are
used to collect sediment, soil and
other materials from specific layers
or features within the site.
3) Transport
The collected samples are carefully
packaged and transported to the
laboratory for further analysis.
4) Sorting
In the laboratory, the samples are
sorted to separate the
environmental remains , such as
Pollen, Phytoliths and micro-fauna,
from other materials.
5) Identification
Identified remains are then
examined under a microscope or
using other techniques to determine
their species or types.
6) Analysis
The analyzed data is used to
reconstruct past environments, such
as vegetation , climate and Human
activities.
7. Environmental archaeology is a multidisciplinary field, that
focus on different aspects of the relationship between past
human societies and their natural surroundings. They are:
1)Paleobotany
2)Zooarchaeology
3)Geoarchaeology
8. Paleobotany
Palaeobotany is the study of ancient plant remains. Tells us about-
vegetation, climate, and ecological conditions of ancient times.
How Paleobotany helps in understanding the past environment?
. It helps researchers:
• Reconstruct ancient ecosystems and landscapes.
• Identify past climate changes and fluctuations.
• Study the adaptations of plants to different environmental
conditions.
• Understand the impact of human activities on the environment.
• Gain insights into the availability of resources and the use of plants
by ancient societies.
2,800 yrs old ancient seeds found in
Armenian Fortress
Wheat Phytoliths
Pollen Analysis
Fossil of a leaf
10. What we can find out from Floral
Analysis
Floral remains, such as seeds, pollen, and
plant macrofossils, can provide valuable
insights into:
Past vegetation and land use patterns
Environmental changes over time
Human interactions with plants, including
cultivation and domestication
Food sources and dietary habits of ancient
societies
Medicinal and ritual plant use
Floral Analysis
11. Zooarchaeology
Zooarchaeology is the study of ancient animal remains.
How Zooarchaeology Helps in the Reconstruction of the Past
Environment?
. It helps archaeologists:
Examine marks on bones to understand hunting practices and the utilization of
animals for food, clothing, and tools.
Identify patterns of animal domestication and the development of human-
animal relationships.
Reconstruct ancient food webs and ecosystems by analyzing the presence of
different animal species.
Understand the impact of human activities on local fauna and their ecological
niches
Zooarchaeological Remains found in
excavation.
Zooarchaeological analysis in
Lab
12. What we can find out from faunal Analysis
Faunal remains, including animal
bones, teeth, and shells, can help us
understand:
Past animal species present in the area
Human-animal interactions, such as
hunting, domestication, and use of
animals for food, clothing, and tools
Environmental conditions and changes
affecting animal populations
The role of animals in ancient
economies and cultural practices
Faunal Analysis
13. Morphological analysis of faunal remains focuses on studying bones,
teeth, shells, and other hard tissues. Process involves several steps:
1. Archaeological team collects and cleans the remains
2. Researchers identify and describe the morphological characteristics
of each specimen i.e. size,shape and surface texture.
3. Then information compared to references, such as osteological
atlases.
4. Once identification is complete, the researchers can then analyze the
data to draw conclusions about past ecosystem,human-animal
interactions,and paleoenvironments.
14. Its significance
1. It helps to identify the species that lived in the past, contribute to our
understanding of the biodiversity and ecology of the region.
2. Provides info. About the age, sex, health of the animals ,which can reveal
population dynamics and overall health of the ecosystem.
3. Lastly, human-animal interactions, such as domestication,hunting practices by
examining the butchery marks and other evidence on the bones.
15. Geoarchaeology
Geoarchaeology is the study of ancient sediments and soils. It
involves the analysis of geological and environmental factors to
understand past landscapes, climate changes, and human activities.
How Geoarchaeology helps us in understanding past
environment?
It helps us:
• Analyze sediments and soils to reveal information about past
landscapes, climate changes, and human activities.
• Reconstruct past landscapes and understand the geography and
environment of ancient human settlements and migrations.
Identify natural and anthropogenic changes in the environment
and their impact on ancient societies.
• Study the formation processes of archaeological sites and their
preservation
• Understand the availability of resources and their utilization by
ancient communities
16. Conclusion
Some key points that highlight the importance of environmental archaeology:
Reconstructing Past Environments:
Understanding Human-Environment Interactions:
Identifying Subsistence Strategies and Diet:
Tracing the Origins and Spread of Domesticated Plants and Animals:
The potential for future research and discoveries in the field of environmental archaeology is vast. With
advancements in scientific techniques and interdisciplinary approaches, we can expect further insights into ancient
environments, human behaviors, and the interconnectedness between humans and their surroundings
